Garment carrier

ABSTRACT

A GARMENT CARRIER FOR HANGER-HELD CLOTHING INCLUDES A CARRIER STRAP ADAPTED TO FIT OVER THE USER&#39;&#39;S SHOULDER. AT ITS REAR END THE STRAP IS CONNECTED IN A GARMENT BAG, WHILE AT ITS FORWARD END THE STRAP IS PROVIDED WITH A HOOK WHICH CAN BE EASILY GRIPPED OR ENGAGED WITH THE HANDLE OF A SMALL VALISE TO COUNTERACT THE WEIGHT OF THE CLOTHING. A SHOULDER PAD IS INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE USER&#39;&#39;S SHOULDER AND THE STRAP TO DISTRIBUTE THE WEIGHT OF THE CLOTHING ACROSS THE USER&#39;&#39;S SHOULDER.

Feb. 16, 1971' J. A. HEBEL. 3,5

GARMENT CARRIER Filed Sept. 30, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR JOHN A. HEBEL ATTORNEYS Feb. l6, 1971 HEBEL 3,564,590

GARMENT CARRIER Filed Sept. 30, 1969 a Sheets-Sheet a FIG. 7

INVENTOR JOHN A. HEBEL ATTORNEYS United States Patent O ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A garment carrier for hanger-held clothing includes a carrier strap adapted to fit over the users shoulder. At its rear end the strap is connected in a garment bag, while at its forward end the strap is provided with a hook which can be easily gripped or engaged with the handle of a small valise to counteract the weight of the clothing. A shoulder pad is interposed between the users shoulder and the strap to distribute the weight of the clothing across the users shoulder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to garment carriers and more particularly to a garment carrier for clothing suspended from hangers.

Clothing carried in so-called garment bags can sustain long trips without becoming wrinkled inasmuch as the clothing is suspended in the bag from hangers or, in other words, is maintained in an extend or unfolded condition. Conventional suitcases, on the other hand, only accept most articles of clothing in a folded condition, which creates more wrinkles. By reason of the fact that clothing bags accept garments in an extended or unfolded condition, they are considerably longer than conventional suitcases and this makes them more diflicult to carry. Indeed, the only practical way for the user to carry a garment bag is to double his arm back and grasp the hanger hooks at his shoulder, allowing the bag to depend therefrom across his back. This is an awkward position for the arm and becomes tiring and extremely uncomfortable after short periods of time.

Moreover, many travelers who utilize garment bags also carry small suitcases or briefcases so that both of their hands are occupied. Thus, it is difficult for these people to manipulate tickets, deal with money, and perform other manual functions in airports, hotels, and similar facilities which are often frequented by travelers.

Furthermore, travelers are often detained for extended periods in places where no coat hanger rods are available for holding their garment bags. In such situations travelers often throw their garment bags over the backs of chairs merely to rid themselves of the bags. This tends to wrinkle the clothing and much worse often dislodges the clothing from the hangers so that when the bag is again carried the dislodge clothing falls to the bottom of it.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a carrier for conveniently and effortlessly carrying clothing suspended from hangers. Another object is to provide a carrier which will counter-balance hanger-held clothing and a small valise across the users shoulder, leaving his hands free for other operations. A further object is to provide a carrier of the type stated which can also be used to suspend the hanger-held clothing from the tops of doors, ledges, rods, and other elevated protuberances. Yet another object is to provide a carrier which does not obstruct the hanger hooks so that the hangers and clothing can be supported from conventional clothes racks. A further object is to provide a 3,564,590 Patented Feb. 16, 1971 "ice garment bag having two compartments, one of which will accommodate clothing suspended from hangers. These and other objects and advantages will become apparent hereinafter.

The present invention is embodied in a carrier including a strap which extends across the users shoulder and is provided at its rear end with means for connecting it with clothing hangers. At its forward end the strap is provided with means for enabling the user to conveniently grip the strap and counteract the weight of the clothing on the hangers. The invention, in addition, includcs a novel garment bag having upper and lower compartments. The invention also consists in the parts and in the arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification and wherein like numerals and letters refer to like parts wherever they occur:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing the garment carrier being used to suspend garments and a small valise across the shoulder of a traveler,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the garment carrier,

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the garment carrier,

FIG. 4 shows the carrier being used to suspend the garments from the top edge of a door,

FIG. 5 shows the garment carrier positioned to the side of the garments while the garments are suspended from a conventional clothes rod,

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, partially broken away and in section, of a modified garment carrier, and

FIG. 7 is a front view of the modified garment carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, 2 designates a carrier for carrying clothing 4 suspended from clothes hangers 6 having hooks 8. Normally, the clothing 4 is encased in a flexible garment bag 10 having small openings 12 at its upper end through which the hooks 8 project. It should be understood, however, that the carrier 2 is also suitable for use with merely the clothing 4 suspended from the hangers 6 or with garment bags having completely encased clothes hangers and only a single external hanger at the top of the bag.

The carrier 2 includes a shoulder pad '20 which is relatively wide and is configured to fit over the users shoulder in a general direction extending from his collarbone to his shoulder blade. The pad 20 may be made from any suitable flexible material of a durable nature such as leather. At its rear end, that is, the end which is located adjacent the users shoulder blades, the shoulder pad 20 is provided with a hinge 22 (FIGS. 2 and 3) to which a semi-circular end flap 24 is fastened. When the hinge 22 is open, the flap 24 forms a continuation of, and indeed is a part of, the pad 20. However, when the hinge 22 is closed, the flap 24 is doubled under the pad 20 (FIG. 5). Immediately forwardly of the tab 24, the shoulder pad 20 is centrally fitted with an outwardly projecting guide tab 26 having an aperture 28 extending through it.

The pad 20 cushions and spreads out the downwardly directed force presented by a narrower carrier strap 30 which overlies a considerable portion of the pad 20. Like the pad 20, the strap 30 is also formed from a flexible material which, in addition to being durable, should have sufficient strength to support a load of clothing 4. Leather is also suited for this purpose. The carrier strap 30 is retained in place on the pad 20 by a metal guide or confining loop 32 and snap fasteners 34. The guide loop 32 is positioned centrally on the pad 20. It extends over and along the sides of the strap 30 so as to prevent the strap 30 from moving away from or shifting laterally on the pad 20. Its ends are secured against the upper surface of the pad 20 by rivets. The snap fasteners 34, on the other hand, are located on the strap 30 at the forward end of the pad 20 to prevent the strap 30 from shifting longitudinally on the pad 20. Several longitudinally spaced snap fasteners 34 are provided, and these engage a fastener button 36 on the forward end of the pad 20 so that the position of the strap 30 on the pad 20 can be altered to suit the user.

The rear end of the strap 30 is disposed between the guide loop 32 and the outwardly projecting tab 26 and is, furthermore, provided with a grommet 38 through which a looped binding 40 is passed. The binding 40' extends along the pad 20 as a continuation of the strap 30 and passes through the aperture 28 in the tab 26. The looped end of the binding 40 terminates close to the end of the semicircular flap 24, while the opposite end is knotted with a loop knot to prevent the binding 40 from slipping through the grommet 38. The binding 40 should likewise be formed from a strong flexible material such as leather.

The forward end of the carrier strap 30 loops around a metal pintle 42 and is riveted to itself so that the pintle 42 is contained within the looped end. The pintle 42 is provided with a transversely extending bore through which the shank of an eye bolt 44 passes, the shank being secured to the pintle 42 in any conventional manner. The shank of the eye bolt 44 also extends through the looped forward end of the strap 30. The eye of the bolt 44 is on the other end of the shank and it retains a hook 46 which is configured to receive the handle of a small valise such as a suitcase or briefcase 50 (FIG. 1). The hook 46 is further configured to fit over the top of a conventional door 52 (FIG. 4) when inverted.

In use, the looped end of the binding 40 is looped or knotted around the hooks 8 projecting from the garment bag in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 so that the hangers 6, the clothing 4, and the garment bag 10 are all suspended from the binding 40 (FIGS. 1 and 4). Then. with the flap 24 extended, the user places the pad across his shoulder and positions it such that its forward margin is presented below his collarbone, while the flap 24 overlies the shoulder blade of the shoulder supporting it (FIG. 1). In this position, the forward portion of the carrier strap depends downwardly across the users chest. To counterbalance the weight of the clothing 4 in the garment bag 10, the user merely grasps the hook 46 at the forward end of the carrier strap 30 and tugs downwardly. The garment bag 10 will, of course, depend from the binding 40 along the users back where it is well above the floor, thereby preventing the bag 10 and the clothing 4 in it from becoming soiled. Moreover, when the strap 30 is positioned correctly with respect to the pad 20, the flap 24 will be positioned between the hanger hooks 8 and the users back, thereby preventing the sharp edges of those hooks from irritating the user or damaging the clothing he wears. If the hook 46 at the forward end of the strap 30 is not positioned conveniently for gripping, it may be adjusted relative to the pad 20 by detaching the snap fastener 34 in engagement With fastener button 36 and then shifting the pad strap 30 relative to the pad 20 until another fastener 34 aligns with the button 36. That fastener 34 is then snapped into the button 36 so that the carrier strap 30 is again attached to the pad 20, only in a different position.

Thus, the weight of the clothing 4 in the garment bag 10 is carried primarily by the users shoulder, and the user need not twist his arm into an awkward and uncomfortable position to hold that clothing. Moreover, the garment bag 10 and the clothing 4 in it are carried well above the ground and are not likely to become soiled.

Should the user also have a small hand-carried valise 50, such as a suitcase or a briefcase, the handle of that valise 50 is merely passed over and into engagement with the hook 46 at the forward end of the strap 30 (FIG. 1)

4 so that the garment bag 10 is presented at the users back while the valise is presented across the front of his body and perhaps slightly to the side of it, depending on the position the valise 50 assumes when it swings free. The valise 50 counteracts the weight of the users garment bag 10 so that both the bag 10 and the valise 50 are carried by the users shoulder. Whereas, without the carrier 2, both of the users hands would be occupied carrying the bag 10 and the valise 50, with the carrier 2 used in the manner previously described, both of the users hands are free to perform other operations such as handling money or airline tickets.

If the user is detained or required to be in a place having no conventional rod from which the hangers 6 in the bag 10 can be hung, the user can merely place the hook 46 over the top of a door 52 (FIG. 4) and allow the hangers 6, clothing 4, and garment bag 10 to depend from the binding 40 along the face of the door 52. The shoulder pad 20 is normally placed against the door 52 so that the hooks 8 and the guide loop 32 do not scratch the door 52. The hook 46 may also engage other elevated rods, ledges, protuberances, and the like.

However, where a clothes rod 54 (FIG. 5) is available, the flap 24 is merely folded under the pad 20 at the hinge 22, and the entire carrier 2 is allowed to depend from its binding 40, which is looped around the hooks 8 of the hangers 6, along the back side of the garment bag 10. Thus, access to the interior of the bag 10 is not obstructed. Furthermore, by reason of the fact that the flap 24 folds under the pad 20, the effective length of the pad 20* is shortened and it therefore does not interfere with the hooks 6 or the clothes rod 54 over which they are passed as it depends along the side of the bag 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, it is possible to provide a modified garment carrier 58 including a garment bag 60, a shoulder pad 62 and a carrier strap 64. The shoulder pad 62 is very similar to the pad 20' and is connected to the strap 64 by means of rivets. The forward end of the strap 64 is provided with a swivelly mounted hook 66 which is very similar to the hook 46. At its rear end the carrier strap 64 is looped through a metal connector bar 68 which is fastened at both of its ends to the top of the garment bag (FIG. 7) and is bowed outward therefrom intermediate its ends. The connector bar 68, furthermore, extends longitudinally along the top of the bag 60'. Beyond the outwardly bowed portion of the connector bar 68, the strap 64 folds back upon and is riveted to itself so that the bag 62 and the carrier strap 64 are permanently although pivotally connected to one another. Intermediate its side margins, the strap 64 is cut away at the connector bar 68, anda hook 70 is swingably attached to the exposed portion of the connector bar 68. The hook 70 is disposed on that portion of the carrier strap 64 which is presented upwardly or away from the shoulder pad 62 so that it does not become lodged between the strap 64 and the users back when the bag 60 is carried by means of the strap 64.

The garment bag 60 is preferably formed from a water repellant fabric and around its periphery it includes a top wall 76, side walls 78, and a bottom wall 80. The top wall 76 is reinforced with a rigid frame 77 (FIG. 6) to which the ends of the connector bar 68 are riveted. The rear margins of the top wall 80, side walls 78 and bottom wall 80 are sewed to a back wall 82 which is uninterrupted and is presented to the same side of the carrier strap 64 as is the shoulder pad 62 so that it rests against the users back when the bag 60 is carried.

The front of the garment bag 68 is closed by a front wall 84 which is also sewed to the top wall 76, side walls 78, and bottom wall 80', and the front wall 84 is bisected by a zipper 86 which extends downwardly to a partition 88 within the bag 68. The partition 88 divides the bag 68 into upper and lower compartments 90 and 92. Access to the upper compartment 90 is, of course,

gained through the zipper 86, while access to the lower compartment is obtained through a Zipper 94 in that portion of the front wall 84 located beneath the partition and having the shape of an inverted U.

Finally, within the upper compartment 90 a transversely extending bar 96 (FIG. 6) is connected to the reinforcing frame 77, and that bar 96 bows downwardly from its ends for reception of the hooks 8 on the hangers 6. The compartment 90 is long enough to accommodate the clothing 4 hung on the hangers 6.

The carrier 58 is used much in the same manner as the carrier 2, in which case the back wall 82 of the bag 60 will be against the users back when the shoulder pad 62 is over his shoulder. However, the garment bag 60 is not readily detached from the carrier strap 64.

Furthermore, in the case of the carrier 58, the hooks 8 of the hangers 6 holding the clothing 4 are hooked over the bar 96 within the upper compartment 90 instead of being passed through the bag 60.

When it is desired to hang the garment bag 60- from a conventional clothes rod, the carrier strap 64 is merely folded backwardly along the connector bar 68 until it depends across the back wall 82 of the bag 60. Then the hook 70 is passed over the clothes rod so that the bag 60 is suspended from the hook 70 instead of the strap 64.

The lower compartment 92 is ideally suited for storing soiled clothing.

For those users who do not normally travel with briefcases 50 or small valises, the hook 46 on the carrier 2 and the hook 66 on the carrier 58 may be replaced with an elongated handle similar in configuration to a bicycle handle bar grip. That handle would extend in the same direction as the carrier strap 30 or 64 when allowed to depend freely.

This invention is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A carrier for clothing suspended from hangers: said carrier comprising a shoulder pad adapted to extend over the users shoulder, a carrier strap extending generally over the pad, a flexible binding attached to the strap and extending rearwardly therefrom, the binding being substantially narrower than the strap and easily flexed in every direction so that it can be knotted around the hangers, gripping means connected to the end of the strap, and confining means for preventing substantial transverse shifting of the strap relative to the pad, the strap being longitudinally shiftable relative to the pad to at least one position wherein the portions of the hangers engaged by the binding overlie the pad so that those hanger portions will not damage the clothing worn by the user, the gripping means being located along the front of the body for convenient gripping when the binding means positions the engaged portions of the hangers over the pad.

2. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein the gripping means comprises a hook configured to receive the handle of a valise so that the valise can be suspended from the front end of the strap to counteract the weight of the clothing, whereby the users hands are free to perform other functions.

3. A carrier according to claim 2 wherein the hook is also configured to fit over a door whereby the carrier, hangers, and clothing may be suspended from the top edge of a door.

4. A carrier according to claim 2 wherein the hook comprises three substantially straight segments connected by two substantially 90 bends, the spacing between the bends being suflicient to enable the hook to fit over the top of a door.

5. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein the flexible binding doubles back upon itself so as to form a loop beyond the rear end of the strap.

6. A carrier according to claim '5 wherein the flexible binding is attached to the rear end of the strap.

7. A carrier according to claim 1 and further characterized by securing means for restricting longitudinal movement of the strap relative to the pad after the strap has been shifted to a selected position.

8. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein the confining means further restricts longitudinal movement of the strap relative to the pad.

9. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein the pad includes a flap which folds away from the binding so that the pad will not interfere with the hangers when the strap depends from the hangers to the side of the clothing.

10. A carrier for clothing suspended from hangers having hooks formed thereon; said carrier comprising a shoulder pad adapted to extend over the users shoulder, a carrier strap extending generally over the pad and normally restricted against movement thereon, the strap being narrower than the pad and having its front end normally positioned beyond the pad and its rear end position over the pad forwardly from the rear margin thereof, a flexible binding attached to the rear end of and extending rearwardly beyond the strap, the binding being substantially narrower than the strap and easily flexible in every direction so that it can be knotted to the hanger hooks whereby the clothing will be suspended from the binding and will extend downwardly across the users back, the binding positioning the hooks substantially over the rear end of the pad when knotted to the books so that the hooks will not damage the clothing worn by the user beneath the pad, guide means fixed relative to the pad for confining a portion of the binding against lateral movement relative to the pad and strap, the guide means being located beyond the rear end of the strap and having an aperture through which the binding extends, and gripping means at the front end of the strap and positioned in front of the users body so that it can be conveniently grasped to exert a downwardly directed force for counteracting the force created by the weight of the clothing.

.11. A carrier according to claim 10 wherein the gripping means is a hook configured to engage the handle of a valise so that the valise can be suspended from the front end of the strap to counteract the weight of the clothing.

12. A carrier according to claim '10 wherein the flexible binding doubles back upon itself so as to form a loop which can be knotted to the hanger hooks; and wherein the double length of binding extends through the aperture in the guide means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,916,793 7/1933 Harper 224-55 2,541,449 2/1951 Vickers 22455UX 2,606,636 8/1952 Braverman 206-7(K)X 2,709,006 5/ 1955 Ludwig 2067 (K)X 3,081,923 3/1963 Bagby 2245X 3,362,599 1/1968 Galazin 22445 FOREIGN PATENTS 428,409 5/11'935 Great Britain 224-5-16 1,198,768 6/1959 France 2 245-14 ROBERT G. SHERIDAN, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 2067 

